As you may recall, Obi-Wan Kenobi, the forthcoming Disney+ show about the iconic Star Wars Jedi, ran into some difficulties on the way to the small screen. There were issues with the original scripts, which had to be largely scrapped. Star Ewan McGregor claimed those claims were “bulls*it, but it appears there was at least some truth to them. Indeed, it’s only now been made public that amidst the turmoil, the show wound up ditching another beloved character’s return.
As per The Hollywood Reporter, the show originally brought back Darth Maul, the horned, double lightsaber-wielding baddie from the first Star Wars prequel The Phantom Menace. How was Maul supposed to return given that a young Obi-Wan literally sliced him in half? Was he in flashbacks? We may never know. But we do know that Maul was in the scripts long enough that actor Ray Park was at one point in active prep to return to the role.
This all happened about two years ago, when pre-production on the show was put on pause and the scripts were dramatically reworked. The reason, according to THR, was not that they were bad per se, but that series director Deborah Chow noticed they were a little too similar to The Mandalorian, which had recently wrapped its first season:
Sources note that Filoni and Favreau were concerned about Obi-Wan covering similar ground as Mandalorian — the Lone Wolf and Cub-like story of Kenobi coming out of hiding to protect a child-aged Luke Skywalker. Maul was one of the villains who would participate in the hunt for the pair; Vader was nowhere to be found in this faraway galaxy at this stage, according to those with knowledge of the project. Also, Filoni and Favreau pushed Chow and the show to “go bigger,” according to several sources. In any case, those concerns made their way to Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy, who pressed the pause button.
But don’t fret that you won’t be seeing Darth Maul reunite with Obi-Wan for another duel. After all, you’re getting Darth Vader instead. Obi-Wan Kenobi premieres on Disney+ on May 25.
One of the best ways to enjoy bourbon is to drink it with an accompanying beer. Sometimes known as a boilermaker (usually when the whiskey is in shot form), this combo is a favorite of drinkers and bartenders alike. In theory, the beer often acts as a sort of chaser for the warmer alcohol you’re enjoying as the main course. “A beer back” as it’s called by aficionados.
Charles Bement, sommelier and beverage director of B. Hospitality in Chicago, loves the bourbon-beer combination. In his opinion, the beer choice is just as important as the whiskey, because the two need to play off of each other.
“I think doing IPA and bourbon can be overpowering,” Bement explains. “Lager has just enough weight and citrus components to pair well with the caramel notes that you get on a nice Kentucky bourbon.”
To that end, we tasked a handful of well-known bartenders to pair beers they love with bourbons to provide us all a guiding light on the beer back issue. They didn’t disappoint in their selections. Check them all, below!
At my bar, we do a bock and bourbon special with Shiner Bock and Buffalo Trace Bourbon. They are a perfect combo. Both of them have subtle complexities of sweet-bitter caramel notes that are perfect for an after-work combo.
Budweiser and Jim Beam White Label
Jim Beam
Andrew Guerin, bartender at Bourbon O Bar in New Orleans
I’m a bit of a classic on this. Give me a shot of Jim Beam and a Budweiser. I know exactly what I’m getting every time — classic bourbon flavors of caramel, vanilla, and oak and crisp with a thirst-quenching beer that tastes like beer.
This may sound a bit strange, but I would personally choose a nice frozen glass full of Golden Road’s Mango Cart, which is a smooth mango-flavored wheat ale that offers a beautiful balance to the dryer finish to my pour of Eagle Rare 10-year bourbon. Having a nice contrast of refreshing fruit aroma to bold and oaky flavors of the bourbon makes the sipping all the better.
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout and Frey Ranch Bourbon
This question depends on my mood, but I’ll go with a Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout and a really strong and tasty bourbon like Frey Ranch. Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout is a modern classic for me. The chocolate really comes through on the palate. Frey Ranch is great because of the cinnamon notes that come out on your nose and as you taste it. Chocolate and cinnamon? Great combo.
Trumer Pils alongside I.W. Harper 15-year bourbon is my favorite combination because it brings me back to an earlier time in my bartending career when I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area. Trumer Pils is a refreshing pilsner at about 4.7 percent ABV while the I.W Harper 15 is light in alcohol for bourbon at 43 percent ABV. But, it offers heavy and sensational flavors on the palate with notes of oak, caramel, spice, and vanilla. The distillery has been around for a long time but mainly produced for the international market until it was brought back to the domestic market in 2015.
Pabst Blue Ribbon and Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Jim Beam
Joshua Scheid, beverage manager at REX at The Royal in Philadelphia
If I’m going for beer and bourbon, there’s nothing like a cold PBR and a shot of Old Grand-Dad Bonded. The extra oomph from the bonded bourbon with the grocery store white bread sweetness of PBR is so comforting.
Neko no Sukiyoubi and Savage & Cooke Burning Chair
Savage & Cooke
Mariza Sabino, general manager at Dirty Habit in San Francisco
My personal favorite right now is Neko no Sukiyoubi (Wednesday Cat White Ale) and Savage & Cooke’s Burning Chair. I love the barrel notes in the Burning Chair and there are mild tropical notes that pair perfectly with the mild fruit and maltiness of the ale.
Miller High Life and Maker’s Mark 46
Maker
Stephen Ohalloran, bar manager at Camino Riviera in San Diego
Try not to overthink this one. I go with a Makers 46 and some Miller High Life. It’s an inoffensive beer that can go with just about anything paired with a nice and slightly higher-proof bourbon to punch it up a bit.
Guilty pleasure — I love light beer. I have been working in craft bars for all of my adult life. And even with endless spirits options from faraway lands behind the bar, I always lean towards an ice-cold lager like Coors Light and some good old Woodford Reserve bourbon to sip while closing.
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Bulleit
Bulleit
Subhash Sankar, head mixologist at Alaia Belize in San Pedro Town, Belize
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Bulleit Bourbon are my picks. If you’re looking for something lighter and hoppier, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale would be fantastic, It’s got a strong, astringent flavor, so it’s a good palate cleanser against the bourbon.
After a long day of work, I love to settle down with a boilermaker. In my opinion, the best combination for that is Maker’s Mark and Stella Artois Lager. The smooth, oaky, almost caramel notes of the bourbon complement the almost fruity notes of the Lager.
Pairing Few Bourbon with a dark, chocolate-driven stout can help ease the cravings for spring. The NWAR Tsokolate stout from Whiner Beer company is one of my favorites to pair with FEW. The notes of chocolate, coffee, and toasted coconut compliment the rich flavors of caramel and spiced cloves in FEW Bourbon.
Rick Ross can probably be forgiven for not knowing who Saucy Santana is. After all, the fast-rising rap newcomer’s largest audience remains on TikTok, where Saucy’s song “Material Girl” has completely taken over, appearing in well over 27 million views since its release in 2020. However, Ric — who is no stranger to making the jump from underground sensation to mainstream superstar — isn’t surprised by Santana’s success and says hip-hop undoubtedly has space for more queer artists to make similar leaps.
Ross learned about Saucy Santana — a fellow native of Miami — during an interview with YouTube gossip vlogger Funky Dineva, who asked for his take on gay rappers coming into the rap game. “I’m not familiar with the name Santana, but live your life, chase your dreams, and go hard, man,” Ross replies smoothly, meeting Dineva’s follow-up question — “Do you think hip-hop will ever embrace the LGBT community fully?” — with an equally unfazed response. “I believe hip-hop has already embraced it. Without a doubt.”
“Material Girl” isn’t the only Saucy Santana song fans have received warmly, nor is Rick Ross the first rapper to co-sign the burgeoning star. His 2020 single, “Walk,” is also a viral favorite on TikTok, with 516 million views on the #WalkChallenge and related hashtags. Santana has worked with LightSkinKeisha on “Back It Up,” Sukihana on “Food Stamp H*e,” Latto on “Up & Down,” and “Shisha” with City Girls, for whom he once worked as a makeup artist. His debut album, Keep It Playa, dropped in December of 2021.
As far as Rick Ross’ claim that hip-hop has embraced queer artists goes, he might be a little optimistic in that respect. Last year, Lil Nas X had one of the best-performing debut albums in recent memory but still had to field homophobic comments from rappers like Boosie and fans who questioned him for not working with any other Black men on the album, something he pointed out had more to do with those he asked than with his own preferences.
Multiple times per week, our TV and film experts will list the most important ten streaming selections for you to pop into your queues. We’re not strictly operating upon reviews or accrued streaming clicks (although yes, we’ve scoured the streaming site charts and ratings) but, instead, upon those selections that are really worth noticing amid the churning sea of content. There’s a lot out there, after all, and your time is valuable.
Enjoy this A-lister laden movie (Ryan Reynolds is the time-traveling son of Mark Ruffalo, who’s also teaming up here with his 13 Going On 30 co-star here) that’s pretty much comfort food. And even though emotions can run high, it’s essentially harmless escapism, and what more can you ask for when the world is stressful right now? As far as sci-fi goes, that aspect isn’t the strongest here, but it’s a pleasant little watch.
Finally, pirates get the workplace comedy that they deserve, and yup, this is pretty much What We Do In The Shadows on the high seas. Taika Waititi portrays the notorious Blackbeard, and he desperately wants to throw the towel in, but retiring as a pirate ain’t so easy. There’s mutiny afoot and plundering never stops being hard as hell, and then there’s a gentrification-siding pirate that is a disgrace to the profession. It’s so silly, and thank god for that levity.
Renee Zellweger really loves to look unrecognizable, so this true-crime series is her jam for sure. She portrays Pam Hupp, who was involved in a diabolical scheme that led to the murder of Betsy Faria, whose murder somehow ended up being pinned on her husband. Dateline NBC got involved, and naturally, that led to a podcast and, eventually, this dissection of the whole tawdry affair.
The sight of Toni Collette as a possibly sketchy mother might bring back Hereditary vibes, but perhaps that’s part of the attraction here. Bella Heathcote portrays a 30 something who’s attempting to parcel out what happened in her childhood, and of course, there are dueling timelines here. There’s viral fame and a cult and, yeah, you are not prepared for the twists here.
Because one can never have too many Lost imitators, this show takes an unescapable trip into a really calm-seeming town that happens to trap residents. And then the monsters surface, but this is much more of a slow-burn story than a straight-up scare-the-hell-out-of-you story. Those who are waiting for more Manifest should sign on to keep the ratings-fires burning.
Ben Stiller is here to tear your little non-work-life-balanced world apart. The always-great Adam Scott stars, and both Patricia Arquette and Christopher Walken make supporting turns, so you should probably stop working right now and watch this show. Or at the very least, get your best Zoolander Blue Steel face going on.
The late John Singleton’s brainchild is alive and well with the Franklin family posed to enjoy everyone of their long-running dreams, but yeahhhh that ain’t happening. The heat is cranked up to eleven in South Central LA with the 1980s not turning out to be the fun and games that everyone’s expecting. Much of this has to do with the cocaine-associated death of Len Bias ruining a good time for all.
Sebastian Stan’s dance moves are only one of the highlights of this satiric take on the dating world that might make you delete all of your profiles right now. It’s a slightly gory film that transforms from a romcom vibe into a full-fledged horror flick, but in the middle of all of that conflict, a darkly humorous flame persists. Daisy Edgar-Jones toes a very fine line here, and again, Sebastian is leaving Bucky Barnes on ice with his choices.
The fake-deep-voiced Elizabeth Holmes’ rise and fall as Theranos CEO takes center stage here. Although the retelling itself takes on a paint-by-number air, there’s still plenty here about Seyfried’s performance that will fascinate all. She’s got the long-game-grift commitment going on, of course, but don’t forget about the turtleneck (just like Steve Jobs) and the stark red lipstick to show you that she means business. Also onboard are Naveen Andrews, William H. Macy, and Alan Ruck, all of whom help demonstrate how convincingly that Holmes pulled the wool over the world’s eyes while her inner circle swirled.
The O.G. series captivated for six full seasons, and this spinoff just got the greenlight for another two rounds. So, you’d best catch up with this story that picks up about a century ahead of its predecessor with heroes and destiny and gritty action going on a plenty. This season, viewers will meet a new generation of heroes, including history-famous Vikings including Leif Eriksson (Sam Corlett), Freydis Eriksdotter (Frida Gustavsson), and Nordic prince Harald Sigurdsson (Leo Suter). The battle between Christianity and pagan views only amplify the existing rivalries as all groups battle for honor and survival.
Although this series obviously appeals most to sports fans, there’s also a great deal of showmanship and technical prowess that anyone can step up and enjoy these spectacles and a glimpse behind the courtside curtain. As is the case with many successful streaming endeavors these days, Adam McKay’s heavily involved here because he can’t have his hands in too many projects. The story follows the ascension of the 1980s-era L.A. Lakers under the direction of owner Jerry Buss. John C. Reilly stars as Buss with all of his visionary aplomb along with the expected, unsavory side effects. Quincey Isaiah portrays Magic Johnson, so of course, expect to see all of his partying along with exploits for the rest of the team, who dabble in drugs as well. There might be some ball-playing, too.
With lush views, breathtaking beaches, volcanic mountains, and a diverse selection of good eats and drinks, Bali is a must-visit location for vagabonding adventurers and spiritual nomads alike. It certainly didn’t become Indonesia’s most-visited destination by being one dimensional.
For travel influencer Jaro Cabla, Bali turned out to be more than just another stop on his around-the-world tour. While the surf spots, tourist attractions, and unique accommodations are undoubtedly badass, Cabla treasured the experience for helping to further connect him to nature, his community, and himself.
“I love to tell stories through my travel videos and content,” Cabla tells UPROXX. “My goal is to inspire the younger generation to pursue their own dreams relentlessly, and live as the best possible version of themselves.”
If you’re ready to experience Bali’s vibrant culture for yourself, check out Cabla’s fool-proof travel guide to Bali below. From snorkeling with manta rays to hiking up a volcano at sunrise to sleeping in a treehouse, he’s sharing everything you need to eat, see, and do.
Bali has a place for everyone on her island, whether you are coming here for a short-term vacation or a long-term stay. I personally came to Bali because I knew it would push my career forward in content creation and meeting like-minded people.
Bali is also one of the places on earth that offers world-class surfing. There’s a wave here for everyone, whether you’re just learning or you’ve been charging barrels your entire life. If you find yourself being called to Bali, this island will stretch you in a hundred different ways. You’ll emerge transformed, pushed out of your comfort zone, for better or for worse.
Jaro Cabla
What’s one thing that every first-time visitor should see or do in Bali?
Spend time in Ubud and try out some yoga classes and ecstatic dances at The Yoga Barn. You can rent a beautiful bamboo eco-villa like The Rescape Villa or Eco-Six, the kind of accommodation you don’t normally get to experience in places like the USA or Europe. Ubud is not like any other place on earth, so if you are looking to stretch your mind and dip into the whole spiritual realm, this is the place to go.
I know you only asked for one thing, but I can’t NOT mention the Nusa Islands. Nusa Penida is just pure magic, with scenery that you only see in movies. I recommend going to see Diamond Beach and staying at the Airbnb called Tropical Glamping. This will be an experience of a lifetime.
Bali has such an amazing variety of foods for literally everyone. I am not a vegan but the vegan food here in Bali is hands down some of the best food I’ve had. I had a chance to try Indonesian food as well and there is a specific place in Uluwatu called d’alvie. Everything on their menu is delicious.
In Ubud, you have to try Zest. Their Jackfruit Steak is a must-have. Of course, when you are in Canggu, visit Secret Spot and try their Southwest chicken bowl or eat at Pizza Fabbrica. Pizza Fabbrica has SUCH GOOD PIZZA and calzone.
Best outdoor excursion or adventure activity in Bali?
I guess this activity isn’t directly in Bali, but it’s in Nusa Penida which is part of Bali. One of the most magical experiences was to snorkel with manta rays. These filter feeders were massive gentle giants in the water and the experience itself was like any other. Sanctum Divers is located on Nusa Penida. Their boats were clean and they also brought snacks and water for us and ensured the equipment was clean and ready to go.
If you are not much of a swimmer, Bali has thousands of waterfalls that you can visit. Some of my favorites are Sekumpul in North Bali, Nung-Nung, and Leke-Leke.
One of my favorite excursions was doing a sailing trip around The Komodo Islands, which actually has some of my favorite beaches and trails with the most epic views. It was a five-day sailing trip that took us to a pink sand beach, we saw Komodo Dragons, and then the iconic Padar Island. All food and water were provided on the boat and the crew kept us comfortable every day.
Jaro Calbla
Favorite beach in Bali?
I am a surf head, so I have to say that my favorite beach is Uluwatu. The sunsets are epic from the cliffside and you can also just sit and watch the surfers, with a fresh coconut in hand. However, if you want to just hang out and enjoy the beach, go to Dreamland. The name says it all — the water is crystal blue with white sand and it’s absolutely stunning. You can also do some swimming if the waves aren’t too crazy.
There is also Binging Beach that’s a five-minute cliffside walk down, just up from a well-known reef break called Bingin. There’s also a little warung on the cliff by the beach called Kelly’s Warung with a wicked sunset view.
Jaro Cabla
Hiking trail with the absolute best view?
The sunrise volcano hike in Bali is called Mount Batur. I woke up at around 2 in the morning to start driving to the mountain, which was about a two-hour drive from Canggu. The hike itself was about two hours up as well and the views at the top were absolutely breathtaking. While I didn’t have a guide with me, it is recommended. There is also an option to camp at the top with hot chocolate and food. I personally haven’t done it that way but I’ve spoken to people who loved the experience.
Skai Joglo in Ubud. It is hands down the nicest treehouse with the most beautiful view of the rice fields. The price is reasonable at about $60 per night. When I stayed there, the staff decorated the entire pool with flower petals, it was the best place to capture some epic content. In the morning they also had an option to serve a floating breakfast, which is also a cool experience if you’ve never done something like that before.
Jaro Cabla
What surprised you most about Bali?
The spiritual side. The energy here is so strong. I’ve spent a bit of time here to really tap into it and feel the vibrations of the island. I know it sounds airy-fairy but you have to be here to truly experience it, and not to mention, be open to it. I’ve met so many people who just had a terrible time here and left after a few weeks, and I’ve met people who came here and never left.
This place is magic and she will test you in many ways. Experiences and emotions are definitely heightened here and it can either make or break a person. I’ve had my fair share of highs and lows while being here where I’ve hit burnout and got in with the partying scene where I realized that that actually isn’t what I wanted for myself and my life. I came to Bali initially to grow my business and instead, I spent 70 percent of my time going on a personal journey of self-discovery.
Anything else you’d like to add about Bali?
Be mindful on the roads and just get to know the culture a little bit. After all, you are coming to this country as a guest, and you can’t act or treat the people here like you are above them. I really wish that I learned to speak more of the language during my time here.
Well, Twitter‘s timeline experiment was fun while it lasted.
Wait. No, it wasn’t.
Twitter’s decision to switch from a default chronological timeline to an algorithmically-handpicked “Home” feed that shows suggested tweets was an unmitigated disaster. It was called one of Twitter’s “worst product decisions in a while,” and led to headlines like, “Twitter just made a big change to our timelines, and I hate it.” Save it for Truth Social.
Some users shared criticism of the change almost immediately after its March 10th announcement, as the Latest feed is preferred to the Home feed for many. The out-of-sequence Home feed can, at times, be confusing, especially for people who use Twitter for updates during a breaking news event like the war in Ukraine.
The change was so unpopular that Twitter has already abandoned the feature after less than a week. “We heard you –– some of you always want to see latest Tweets first. We’ve switched the timeline back and removed the tabbed experience for now while we explore other options,” the Twitter Supports account tweeted on Monday. Here’s an idea: explore an option that isn’t this option. I don’t know what kind of monster wants to see “top” tweets instead of the latest tweets, and frankly, I don’t want to. I’m not the only one.
Thank you.
Don’t explore “other options.” This is literally one of the best features of @Twitter.
Trying to force an algorithmic timeline on everyone was one of the things that made Facebook terrible and Instagram useless for promoting events tied to dates. https://t.co/4X7sqiYz0x
“Some of you” meaning “every single person that uses this site that isn’t an advertiser or corporate account” https://t.co/gRCYcIyTSz
— guy who learned how to make napalm from tiktok (@InternetSlug) March 14, 2022
the thing is, people have been telling Twitter they don’t like “Home” and just want a timeline in order for years and years. And this was just a worse version of what they didn’t like.
I still get people replying to days old tweets because they don’t set twit to chronological https://t.co/MTRB0x69tm
Following Jeff Garlin‘s exit from The Goldbergs after a series of on-set misconduct allegations came to light, the producers addressed fan concerns by revealing that Garlin’s absence would be handled through creative use of his stand-in, previously unused footage, and a little bit of CGI wizardry. However, the production wanted to make it clear at the time that it would not use deep fake technology, but it does admit that it has dabbled with face-swapping in the past. Via Variety:
While there could be a number of options for the creative team to address the situation, Variety has learned that the plan for now is that Garlin will indeed appear in the rest of the season — by using off-camera dialogue pulled from earlier episodes and unused takes, as well as previously shot images of Garlin. There won’t be deep fake images, nor any face replacement: But Garlin will continue to appear in some form for now, which means the actor will continue to be paid, even though he technically won’t be working.
Now, that report was from December. Whether the production held firm on not using fake replacement is up for debate, because here’s a look at the final product posted by journalist Noel Murray, and it’s pretty bad.
They should either cancel The Goldbergs or kill off Jeff Garlin’s character because the workarounds they’ve been using this season ain’t working. pic.twitter.com/EgG4so6rIA
“They should either cancel The Goldbergs or kill off Jeff Garlin’s character because the workarounds they’ve been using this season ain’t working,” Murray tweeted along with a scene that shows Garlin on the opposite side of the room with no other characters around him, horrifyingly inserted into shots like a wax statue, or just cut off from the shoulders up to hide the use of a stand-in. It’s… not great.
As the clip went viral, naturally, people had some thoughts about this unholy monstrosity:
That end shot is 1000000000x worse than what they did to Henry Cavill to get rid of his mustache in Justice League. https://t.co/IzKBOCOdYN
Everyone’s (rightfully) talking about the creepy Jeff Garlin face in the last shot, but I’m here for The Room-esque delivery of “My little peanut.” https://t.co/UaQYh3KkQW
Russell Brand’s been on, to put it mildly, quite an Internet journey these days. The former MTV VJ-turned actor and podcaster still maintains a comedic bent, but his previously apparent left-leaning points of view (and anti-Fox News views) have, well, fallen by the wayside with apparent far-right-leaning, conspiracy-laden rants taking over, all after he hopped aboard with Matthew McConaughey’s POV about not ridiculing people who deny the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
The aforementioned Brand rants generally land on his his YouTube channel with titles like “Vaccine Mandates: An ASSAULT On Your Bodily,” and “SHOCKING Wuhan Evidence: Did Fauci LIE?” There’s some Kremlin propaganda there about the 2016 election, too, along with him supporting antivaxxer truckers, and it’s generally messy stuff. Perhaps that’s why this hamburger photo is leading to strange places.
Chef Andrew Gruel, who apparently created this concoction, is an executive chef who’s appeared on Food Network as a judge. He’s also founded a number of restaurants, including Slapfish, Big Parm, and Two Birds. He provided no immediate context for the naming of this burger, if that is, indeed, all that this photo represents. And somehow, this has led to a lot of speculation on the purported naming of the meal-and-a-half. Is this because, by chance, “That sassy British drippage is real”?
The burger, while possibly tasty (I haven’t eaten meat since age 20, so I’d never be able to say), does look rather heavy. And that’s led some people to wonder if it’s intentionally “Full of sh*t” or “Common Sense.”
Of course, there’s no way to tell what the tone of Gruel’s reply was. Surely, this was said in jest, but there’s not telling where the humor was aimed without more elaboration. And maybe we don’t want elaboration? It’s a decadent sammich. And a joke about Brand’s Forgetting Sarah Marshall serenade is a followup diversion.
Is there anything vaguely political about this burger? One user asked if “there’s blue in that burger,” which is perhaps an on-the-face question about the color blue (and not intended to read into anything about affiliation) but nonetheless something to consider.
Help to end this argument I’m having with my husband. He insists there’s blue in that burger. I don’t see it. What sauces or cheese are on this?
Then there’s an unavoidable factoid: Brand is a self-described vegan, which adds a whole other layer of possible analysis. This is getting out of hand.
He’s a vegan, is that faux meat & faux bacon? Or is it all real and mocking him?
In the end, this is a whole lot of overthinking about, you know, a burger. So, here are some veggies from Chef Gruel. Yum.
Twitter Fuel: If you’re looking to login and argue with a stranger on Twitter for two hours, you’ll need solid, lean protein and veggies. I got ya covered. pic.twitter.com/XeBT7nh0sF
The last time Normani released new music, it was a recharged version of “Wild Side” remixed by Kaytranada this past November. It gave new dance floor energy to the track which features Cardi B on the original version. And now since the new year arrived, Normani has been teasing the heck out of her next single, “Fair,” as she gears up for the eventual release of her debut album.
She’s called the track “genre-bending” and given us previews of her singing it a cappella and listening to it in her car stereo. Today, she just shared a beautifully-styled photo of her lying naked on a couch, and explained the inspiration behind the track in the Instagram caption:
“this song really captures me in one of my most vulnerable moments. sharing this record makes me uncomfortable because you have never really seen me in this light. definitely aware that you might feel like you don’t know much about me but that’s only because it’s what makes me feel protected. i am really forcing myself to let go here. this is huge for me and hopefully this piece of art resonates. love is beautiful yet so soooo terrifying i adore you guys to the moon and back. ohhhh and believe me the uptempo shit is coming lmaooo”
As if she couldn’t stoke the fire of “Fair” anymore, she also shared the cover art for the song, which is set to arrive on Friday and will surely raise the stakes for her album.
Cardi B is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
March is Women’s History Month, dedicated to honoring women all around the globe. Women are powerful and when they succeed, families, communities and economies succeed. Supporting artisans directly not only helps them financially but can help foster economic equality in general. At Upworthy Market, you can be assured that your purchases directly support artisans who craft their own products. We want to highlight some strong, female artisans and their crafts. Read their personal stories and view their collections below.
“I’ve been weaving now since 1990, when I was 13, a lady gave me the opportunity to sell ceramics in her crafts shop, and then I started selling traditional clothing with another woman. That’s when I discovered how much I like handicrafts, because you get to meet many people. After that, a couple I knew taught me to sell and how to talk to and treat tourists so that they buy my crafts.” – Mayra Hernandez
“My name is Matta Nandrakwang, I was born and raised in Chiang Rai, the northernmost province in Thailand next to the border with Myanmar (Burma). I grew up appreciating this naturally beautiful area, home to rich and diverse cultures as well as many ancient ethnic tribes. Since the area is rich with gems and the main activity was their trade, I began to learn and develop a passion for the various gemstones. Ever since I was a young girl, I have been enamored with the hill tribe people’s love of jewelry. I realized I had much to learn and decided to enroll in gemology school. There I learned all about gems and jewelry making.” – Matta
“The first thing I ever made on my own was a pair of silver earrings. My husband taught me so I could help him. I remember watching him work on his own ’til all hours of the night and I really wanted to learn how to craft jewelry. Finally the day came when he asked me to help him and that’s how I started. As I saw the jewelry I had been crafting and saw how beautiful it was I felt happy, everyone kept saying how much they liked what I had made!” – Zandra Lorena Sajbin
Patricia embodies one of the most fundamental beliefs: that love is at the core of everything. She says it best: “What you do with love always becomes love in some way and expresses itself as such. My jewelry is an expression of love conveyed through art using nature’s influences that interact in a single design.”
Thatsanee was born in Sankamphang, a land of beautiful and attractive handicrafts, celadon items chief among them. “I worked in a bank for quite a few years but the office work prevented me from admiring the beauty of my area’s handicrafts. The advantage of working in the bank was that I could access funding resources. I got some small capital to be able to start up a little celadon kiln and workshop along with my partner, Kanda. Working with celadon was a dream of mine, and being able to focus my life in this special traditional craft of Thailand brought deep meaning to me. Soon after, I was joined by Ramphan Khumsingkaew, an extraordinary painter, and we all helped to form the base of our small team many years ago.” – Thatsanee
“Dearest clients, we are artists in the celadon ceramic tradition, one of the three main ceramic styles in Thailand that dates back many hundreds of years. The traditional green tones of the glaze are intended to bring to mind the tonal qualities of jade.” – Ramphan
“While working as a business professional, I’ve always had a deep passion for social causes, especially helping the less fortunate. I met a number of artisans and learned about their lives and how they were living. They created beautiful crafts by hand from materials like wood, cloth and threads, which I thought was phenomenal. What really moved me was that, even though this art is world-famous, the artisans were paid so little. They were earning almost nothing and yet had to make do with it to pay for rent, food, education, daily expenses and more. I decided to use my marketing experience to help these artisans market their crafts and assist them in earning what they deserve. I want all artisans to earn a fair livelihood so they can have happy and healthy lives. This is also the sole reason of why I left my previous job to start out on my own. Our artisans should earn what their work is worth, and it is my mission to help make this happen.” – Arti Sharma
“We have been living in a small rural village for three years. Here I wanted to do something that I loved and to feel free. One day I got the opportunity to learn the process of batik and kept practicing at home afterwards. I thought it was fantastic because I could create anything on the cloth with a free mind. I would go for a walk near my home and look around; I would look at things that impressed my mind and feelings and think about them. Once back home, I would use this inspiration and get down to work with concentration and patience. At first I could not really sell anything until I joined an artistic fair where I used my husband’s company stand to display my work on its walls. Unbelievably, I could sell. What really made me happy was to know that people I didn’t know bought my work because they loved it, and not only to please me or out of friendship. It encouraged me to continue, which was a good thing since some shops later placed orders. This craft is my pride and my life and I think I have found my way.” – Alaya Cholprasertsuk
Alaya is a parent to Kann, an energetic, autistic 16-year-old boy. She has divine patience and grace, and these traits are beautifully exemplified in her life as an artisan, a Thai batik designer, producer and mother. She and her husband are partners in the business that provide for Kann through their artistic work.
“I am a designer by profession. I do my designing with African concepts in mind. Growing up, I loved to sketch things on paper. It was a natural talent, I guess. The carvers who collaborate with me use traditional tools. As the demand grows, I’m able to give work to more carvers, which generates more income for them and their families. It is possible one or two carvers who show a keen interest can make a career out of this. The workshop also provides local women with a constant supply of wood scraps for cooking. With the sale of my jewelry, women in the neighborhood who enjoy stringing beads also get to earn some money when there is an increase in demand. We use mainly wood, recycled aluminum sheets and recycled plastic beads.” – Rita Addo
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